811.751/2
The Secretary of State to the Governor of New York (Whitman)
My Dear Governor: Replying to your letter of April 8, enclosing a copy of a Bill to amend the Penal law of New York in relation to the overhearing of telephone conversations, and asking me to advise you if the Bill in its present form would embarrass the Federal Government, stating that you have sent a similar inquiry to the Attorney General, I beg to say that it would seem to me that the situation at the present time is exactly the same as that outlined in my letter of [Page 121] May 19 last, in respect to a similar measure then before you for approval. It would seem to me highly important that nothing should be done to obstruct the exercise of governmental powers in obtaining information in the interest of national safety and defense.
As, however, the matter of investigation and collection of such information is largely under the immediate direction of the Attorney General I shall, of course, defer to his judgment in this matter.
With very warm regards [etc.]